pirate apprentice ; one piece

005#FIVE

# TRADE

After finding Rayleigh who quickly scolded him about wandering off in such a dangerous place, M/n returned to the presence of his fellow apprentices.

They happened to be arguing again, for the smallest things.

"M/n, there you are!" Shanks was the first to take notice of his presence, moving so that the brunette would have enough space to sit with them.

"M/n!" Buggy greeted in his usual loud and shrieking voice. "Now that you're here, help me tell this stupid dumbass off." He exclaimed while angrily pointing a finger at the redhead who looked offended.

"Stupid? Dumbass? And don't drag M/n to your side! I was just saying how that samurai from Whitebeard's crew might join us." Shanks defended.

"Oden-san?" M/n perked up upon hearing Shanks' opinion. "Really?"

"Yeah. I think he might."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Buggy interjected. "It's obviously going to end up like a trade! If we accept that samurai in the crew, they'll take another one of ours." He pointed out. "And I know Captain Roger's not going to take that risk!"

"It's a 'what if' situation." Shanks informed.

"And if ever they do get someone from the crew. They'll probably take someone useful." M/n said.

Shanks nodded in agreement, looking at each other before sighing in relief. "It won't be any of us then."

And there are two types of people to comprehend this.

M/n who was touched upon hearing Shanks' honest words, given a chance to understand the boy and his feelings further. Letting him know that Shanks considers them as important people in his life.

And then Buggy. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

Their friendship holds a lot of misunderstanding from the start.

"Buggy, it means he considers us as good friends." The brunette tried holding Buggy back by his arms to prevent a fight, but the clown proved to be stubborn.

"Yeah! But I knew your small brain wouldn't get that." The redhead taunted further

"Shanks!" M/n sent a look, the redhead was further taunting Buggy who was ready to push him off the cliff with no remorse.

Sighing, the brunette searched for a new topic just so that the two wouldn't continue on arguing like little kids.

"But hey, I heard there was an island in the sky. It's cool right? Their land is basically clouds. Or maybe their waters." M/n trailed off, unsure of his own thoughts. But he's sure that they got his point.

"I think I've heard of that. But I doubt we're going there any time sooner." Buggy huffed, crossing his arms against his chest. He still wasn't in the mood.

"Well, it's just an idea." Shanks defended.

M/n felt sheepish upon realizing how he ignited their argument even more. In situations such as these, he really didn't know how to act. Perhaps slowly backing away from their fight was the best way to go.

As he subconsciously steps back slowly, he suddenly felt a solid frame behind him. He bumped into someone.

"Are they fighting again?" It was their Captain, and he seems amused by both Buggy and Shanks' exchange that appears to be endless.

"I wouldn't call it a fight. . ." M/n trailed off.

Roger only boomed in laughter before he greeted the apprentices, ruffling their hairs— effectively calming them down as soon as they realized they were at the presence of the Captain they greatly look up to.

"Captain Roger!" The two greeted like professionals.

M/n could feel his sweat drop as he peeked a look at them behind Roger's leg.

"How was it for you three?" Their Captain started. "Did you find anything interesting?"

"I found this cool treasure box!" Buggy exclaimed as he pointed towards a rusty-looking chest. M/n could tell that the boy was scammed and he was doing his best to be enthusiastic about it.

Roger only boomed in laughter once more.

"How 'bout you, Shanks?" He turned the red haired boy who didn't fail to show how he truly admires Roger.

"I found this saber, it has a beautiful scabbard— if I say so myself." Shanks explained, grinning proudly.

"It does have a nice pattern." M/n nodded in agreement as he glanced at it. How lucky Shanks was to have gotten more than enough weapons. He should really ask for some advice next time.

"And you, M/n?" Roger looked at him, tilting his head back just to reach his eyes.

"Well. . ." M/n really didn't participate in the trade, too busy admiring the other crew on land. But he wasn't going to tell their Captain that he finds the Whitebeard crew more interesting than the trade, it would be foolish of him to do so. "I guess I got this pretty neat scar."

"Huh? Where? You got a scar?" The two apprentices peered. How come they never heard of it?

"It's nothing to fuss about." M/n tried to calm them down. "It's not a very cool scar, it's like a normal one." He pulled up his sleeves and there it was, a rather medium-sized scar at his forearm that ran from his cubital fossa to his wrist.

And since he was still young and hasn't developed the extent of size of his arm, the scar was considerably medium. It didn't seem like anything serious or critical, just a scratch that was a little deep.

Since he was still young and has a considerably sensitive arm, it naturally left a thin scar.

"Woah, a scratch."

"Say it with more enthusiasm!" Shanks scolded Buggy. "But that's a really neat scar, M/n!" He praised.

"It healed fast, M/n." Roger glanced at it. It left a scar but he's sure that it hasn't passed 2 hours since M/n got it, it was truly strange.

"Yeah, I don't feel anything from it anymore." The brunette nodded, as concerned as the Captain was.

He was aware of how his life has truly been odd since day one. The life he had now seemed more like a thought to him than anything else, he still can't phantom it after leaving that island.

"You should talk to Crocus and Rayleigh after this, M/n." Roger advised. As easygoing and childish as he may be at certain moments, he was still an adult responsible of his crew.

The brunette nodded obediently. "I will."

A strange path follows M/n behind.